Wire-stitching machine



July 28,1942. HA 2,291,225

WIRE-STITCHING MACHINE Filed Jan. 10, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 July 28,1942. G H, HARRED 2,291,225

WIRE-STITCHING MACHINE Filed Jan. 10, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 By I/liorzzya V July 28, 1942. G. H. HARRED WIRE-STITGHING MACHINE FiledJan. 10, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 @Qauihr:

Patented July 28, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 'WIRE STIT CHINGMACHINE George H. Harred,-East Greenwich, R. I., assignor to Boston WireStitcher Company, Portland, Maine, a corporation of Maine ApplicationJanuary 10, 1941 Serial No. 373,947

22 Claims.

This application is a continuation in part of my copending applicationfor Wire-stitching machine, Serial No. 329,912, filed April 16, 1940,and issued into United States Letters Patent No. 2,266,550, datedDecember 16, 1941.

In my prior application, referred to above, the wire-stitching machineillustrated and described is adapted for stitching the seams of boxes,cartons or the like and comprises a tie-stitch mechanism for applyingthe first and last two stitches of a series closely adjacent each otherto strengthen the seam at its ends.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a simple formof tie-stitch mechanism which is operative on the work-feeding means tocause the latter to advance the work a reduced increment of movementbetween certain stitches.

Another object is to provide a tie-stitch mechanism of the typeindicated which is maintained operative during the application of thelast stitch of one series and the first two stitches of the next series.7

Another object of the invention is to provide a tie-stitch mechanism ofthe type indicated which is set for operation by a cam on the controlshaft and released by a trip actuated from the control shaft.

Another object is to provide a tie-stitch mechanism of the typeindicated which is adjustable to adapt it to operate at the beginningand end of a row of any predetermined number of stitches.

Another object is to provide a tie-stitch mechanism of the typeindicated which is of simple and. compact construction and adapted foruse over long periods of time without repair or replacement of parts.

Further objects of the invention are set forth in the followingspecification which describes a preferred form of construction of thetie-stitch mechanism, by way of example, as illustrated by theaccompanying drawings. In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a wirestitching machineincorporating the novel features of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged side elevational view of the control mechanism forthe wire-stitching machine;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2showing the oscillating mechanism for operating the work-feeding means;

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2showing the tie-stitch operating means;

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view similar to Fig. 4 showing thepivoted key-raising arm as rocked by the cam .on the .control shaft andlatched in. operative position;

Fig. .6 is a view similar to Fig. .5 illustrating the relationship ofthe parts .at a later interval of the stitching operation and showingthe 10st motion between the parts of the oscillating mechanism foroperating the work-feedingmeans;

Fig. 7 is. a view similar to Fig. 5 showing the key-raising arm in itsinoperative position .and the keyconnecting the parts of the oscillatingmechanism for movement as .a unit;

Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view showing the latch trip mechanismfor releasing the keyrais'ing arm of the tie-stitch mechanism;

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8 showing the trigger of the'latch tripmechanism operated by the lug on thetrip-sleeve on the control shaft;

Fig. 10' is a transverse sectional view similar to Fig. 8 showing thetrigger rockedwith respect to the trip -block by the trip-sleeve duringthe return movement of the control shaft;

Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken on line II-I l of Fig. 7 showing thekey for .connecting the parts of the oscillatingmechanism for movementas a unit and illustrating the eccentric contact element on thekey-raising arm of the tie-stitch mechanism;

Fig. 12 is a plan view in reducedscale of several adjacent cartonsshowing thetie-stitch at the opposite ends of each row of stitches; and

Fig. 13 is a face View of the dial for adjusting the control means toadapt the machine to apply any predetermined'number of stitches in aseries.

The wire-stitching machine to which the present invention is applied: issubstantially identical with that illustrated and described in my UnitedStates Letters Patent No. 2,266,550, referred to above. Suffice it tostate herein that the machine comprises a frame having a pedestal 2 witha horizontally extending arm 3 at its upper end, see Fig. 1. Below thearm 3 isa work-supporting table 4. mounted by means of brackets 6 on anI-beam' 5 projecting laterally from the pedestal 2, the outer end of theI-beam being supported by a post 9. Projecting laterally from thepedestal 2 at the side opposite from the table 4 is a platform or shelf1 which is supported on the pedestal by means ofa bracket 8.

A wire-stitching head 12 is mounted at the end of the horizontallyextending arm 3 and is operated by a drive shaft [3 extending throughthe arm and projecting beyond the pedestal. The wire-stitching head l2may be of any suitable construction and, as herein illustrated, is ofthe type shown and described in United States Letters Patent to H. G.Allen, No. 1,760,031, issued May 27, 1930. In this type of machine,during the first half-revolution of the drive shaft l3 a length of wireis cut, bent into U-shape and driven into the work; while during thesecond half-revolution of the drive shaft |3 the parts of the stitchingmechanism are returned to initial position and another length of wire isfed into the head. A fly-wheel I4 is mounted for rotation on theextended end of the drive shaft I3 and is continuously driven from anelectric motor |5 through a suitable belt I5. A clutch I1 is providedadjacent the fly-wheel l4 for connecting the latter to the drive shaftI3. As described in detail in my prior patent referred to above theclutch H is operated automatically by a gate I8 positioned below thehead |2 at the rear of a guide H! and actuated by the work W.

The work in the form of carton blanks W, shown in Fig. 12, is fedintermittently in timed relation to the wire-stitching mechanism in thehead |2 by means of spaced pairs of feed rollers 20 and 2|, see Fig. 1.The upper feed rolls 2|! are mounted on a shaft 23 journaled in suitablebearings depending from the arm 3 of the frame 2 driven from a shaft 24.The shaft 24 is journaled in suitable bearings on the platform I andconnected to the shaft 23 by a shaft 25 having universal joints at itsends. The lower pair of feed rolls 2| are mounted at one side of arockable frame 22 which is rocked to one position to engage the feedrolls with the work to advance the latter under the stitching head I2and thereafter rocked to another position by a spring 26 to engage apair of continuously-operating discharge rolls (not herein shown) withthe work to discharge it from the machine. The lower feed rolls 2| arecarried by a shaft 28 journaled in suitable hearings in the frame 22 anddriven by a shaft 29 journaled in suitable bearings on the platform 1and connected thereto by a shaft 30 having universal joints at its ends.

The shafts 24 and 29 carry intermeshing gears 3| and 32 and the lowershaft 29 is intermittently operated by a one-way clutch 33 enclosed in ahousing 34 and actuated by a relatively movable crank-arm 35, seeFig. 1. The crank-arm 35 of the one-way clutch 33 is connected to an arm36 of an oscillating mechanism 31 by a link .38, see Figs. 2 and 3. Theoscillating mechanism 31 is in turn operated by a pitman 39 driven froman eccentric on the drive shaft l3. The arrangement of the one-wayclutch 33 is such that during the first half-revolution of the driveshaft L3 to operate the wire-stitching mechanism in the head l2 to applya stitch to the work the eccentric on the drive shaft actuates thepitman 39 and through the oscillating mechanism 31 moves the crank-arm35 of the one-way clutch through an idle stroke with respect to thehousing 34. During the second half-revolution of the drive shaft I3while the wire-stitching mechanism in the head I2 is inoperative theoscillating mechanism 31 is operated by the pitman 39 to move thecrank-arm 35 of the one-way clutch through a return stroke which in thisdirection of movement grips the housing 34 connected to the shaft 29 torotate the latter through a predetermined arc. Thus, during the returnstroke of the wire-stitching mechanism the spaced pairs of feed rolls20, 2| are operated by the shafts 24, 29 connected to the shafts 25, 36and shafts 23, 28 to advance the work a predetermined increment ofmovement.

Theoscillating mechanism 31, see Figs. 2 and on a control shaft 45 andhaving flanges 42 and 43 at its opposite ends with radially-projectingears between which the end of the pitman 39 is connected by a crank-pin40. Rockably mounted on the hub-member 4| between the flanges 42 and 43is a second hub-member 44 having the radially-projecting crank-arm 36.As illustrated in Figs. '7 and 11, a key 46 is positioned in a slot 41in the periphery of the hub-member 44 of the oscillating mechanism 31,being pivotally mounted on a pin 48. The key 46 is rocked resiliently ina counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 11 by means of a spring49 to maintain its outer end 50 in a slot 5| in the periphery of theflange 43 of the hub-member 4|. The end of the key 46 projects laterallybeyond the side of the flange 43 of the hub-member 4| to overhang thelatter for a purpose as will later appear. When the key 45 is seated inthe slot 5| of the flange 43 of the hub-member 4| the two parts 4| and44 of the oscillating mechanism 31 will rock as a unit. When the key 46is rocked to the position illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 the members 4|and 44 of the oscillating mechanism 31 may move relatively of each otherto provide lost motion. A lug 52 on the flange 43 of the member 4|carries an adjustable set-screw 53 for engaging the side of the key 46when the latter is raised to the position illustrated by dashlines inFig. 11 whereby to operate the work feeding means with lost motion. Anabutment shoulder 54, see Fig. 6, is also provided on the flange 43 ofthe member 4| at the end of the slot 5| for engaging the opposite sideof the key.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the control shaft 45 is journaled inbearings in standards 56 and 51 mounted on the platform I. Mounted faston the control shaft 45 adjacent the side of the flange 42 of theoscillating member 4| is a ratchet-wheel 58, see Figs. 2 and 3. Thecontrol shaft 45 is intermittently rotated in timed relation to theoperation of the work-feeding means by means of a pawl 59 pivoted to anear 60 on the flange 42 of the oscillating member 4|. A check-pawl 6|acts to hold the ratchetwheel 58 from retrogressive movement during thereturn stroke of the oscillating member.

A gear 62 keyed to the control shaft 45 meshes With the teeth of a rack53 slidable in a suitable guideway 64 in the frame of the bearing 56,see Figs. 2 and 3. Due to the arrangement of the teeth on theratchet-wheel 58 the control shaft 45 is rotated during each forwardstroke of the oscillating mechanism 31 to an extent sufficient toadvance the rack 63 a distance of one tooth. The rack '63 is adapted toactuate stopping means (not herein shown) for disengaging the clutch I1and the number of teeth that the rack 83 is advanced during a stitchingoperation determines the number of stitches S applied to the work W. Therack 63 is set for operation by means of an adjustable abutment 65engageable by the rearward end of the rack, the abutment being carriedat the end of a rod 66 adapted to be locked in any particular positionof adjustment by a clamping member 55 embracing the rod and having ascrew-threaded stem for receiving a clamping nut 10, see Figs. 2 and 3.It will be understood that the opposite or forward end of the rack 63 isadapted to engage and operate the stopping means to automatically arrestthe operation of the stitching mechanism in the head l2 and engage thedischarge rolls (not herein shown) withthe work. Upon arrestment ofoperation" of the stitching'mechanism apawlreleasing lever 61is'actuated to cause it-to en-- gage the pawls 9 and 5| and release themfrom the teeth of the ratchet-wheel 58, see Fig. 2. A-

clock spring 68; see- Fig. 2 having one end attached to the controlshaft 45-and itsopposite end connected to a stationa'ryhousing 69 actstoturn theshaft in clockwise direction as -viewed' in Fig. 3 to return therack 63 to initial position when the pawls 59 and 6| a-re released fromengagement with theratchet-wheel 58. Adia'l' H is also provided at theend of the control shaft 45 for" manually rotating the latter toinitially adjust its angular position, the dial being graduated tocooperatewith a set-mark indicator on a bracket 12 to indicate the"number of stitches to be'applied'during a stitching operation after anyparticular adjustment, see-Figi 13; As thus far'described theconstruction of the" stitchin machine is identical with that illustratedand 'described in my prior patent referred to above.

In accordance with the present invention a novel form oftie-stitch'operating'mechanism is provided for automatically raising thekey 46 at a'predetermined interval of the stitching operation to causethe oscillating mechanism 31 to operate with lost motion. As theoscillating mechanism 31 drives the work-feeding rolls Zlltand 2| thelatter will advance the work with a reduced increment of movementbetween stitches when the key 46 is raised. Referring to Fig. 2, thetiestitch operating mechanism is supported by the bracket 12 attached tothe top'ofthe bearing 51 by means of screws 13. The bracket 12 has anoffset vertically extending block 14 with one face thereof positionedparallel to and spaced from the side of the flange 43 of the oscillatingmember 4|.

A key-raising arm '75 is positioned between the face" of the block 14and theflange 43'of'the oscillating member 4|, see Figs. 2 and 5. Thekey-raising arm 75 is pivotally mounted intermediate itsends on theprojecting end of a stud 16- carried by the block 14' of the bracket 12,the stud extending through the block andibeing held in position 'by'anut ll screwed onto its threaded end; see Figs. 2 and 4. Thekey-raisingfiarm has an arcuate portion underlying the overhanging endof the key 46 and of a contour generally the same as that of the flange43 of the oscillating member 4|. At the'opposite side of the pivot stud'16 from the arcuate portion the keyraising arm has an extension 18providedwith an inclined face 19 notchedto provide a latchshoulder 89.Mounted in a recess 84in the arm'- ate portion of the key-raising arm 15adjacent its end is an eccentric'disk or contact element 8|, see Figs. 5and 11. The eccentric disk has a threaded stem 82 extending through thearm'15 and projecting therebeyond. A lock-nut 83 screwed onto thethreaded stem 82 of the bearing element 8| is adapted to beset upagainst the side of the key-raising arm 15 to clamp the eccentric disk8| in adjusted position on the arm, a spring 85 being provided betweenthe head of the nut and the arm to frictionally resist'turning of thenut. Thus, by loosening the nut 83 the eccentric disk 8| may be moved toits operative position illustrated in Figs. 5 and 11 or turned 180 to aninoperative position within the recess 84 in the key-raising arm 15.

The key-raising arm 15 is rocked on the'pivot stud-16 from the positionillustrated in Fi 'l to that illustrated in- Fig.-5 bya-cam- 8|ion the7'5 a'djustedposition'on the shaft. The periphery control shaft; The cam8e isin the" form of a sleeve attached: to the control" shaft 45 forrotation therewith by means of a pin Bland having a lobe 88- engageablewith the eccentric disk-8| on the arm-.- When the key-raisingarm 15 isrocked on'its-pivot -stud 16 to the position illustratedin Fig. 5 bytheengagement of the cam lobe 88 with the'eccent ric disk-8| the arcuateportion of the arm will engage the overhanging end of" the key 4Btoraise it out of engagement with the slot-5| in the flange 43 of theoscillating member 4|; whereby the two parts-4| and 440i the oscillatingmechanism" 31 operat withlost motion. Thus; the feed rolls 20 and 2| arerotated througha relatively short/arc to advance the work less than thenormalincrement of movement between certain stitches to provideatie-stitch. The operating cam 861s preferably arranged on the controlshaft-45'so' that its lobe 88- is operative toactuate thekey-raising arm15 immediately after the next to that last stitch of a series has been"applied to'- provide a tiestitch at the'end and-at the beginningof-successive roWs-ofstitches; seeFig. 12. g

An automatically operated latch 89 is provided for engaging thekey-raising arm 15 to hold it-in its operative position illustrated in'Fig. 5. The latch 89 is in the form of a blockhavinga latching nose 90engageable with the latching shoulder 80 onthe key-raising arm 15; Thelatch-block 89is rigidly attached to ashaft' 9| by means of a set-screw92 and the shaft is journaled in the vertical block 114* andbody-portion ofthebracket 12, see Figs. 2 and4'. The-latch-block- Billsalso provided With alat'erallyextending arm 93 overlying theextension l8of-the key-raising arm 15 in spaced relation thereto and theends of thespaced arms are connected'by'a helical spring 94. Thus; when thekey-raising arm 15 is rocked from the' position illustrated in Fig. 7"to thatillustrated in Fig; 5 the spring 94, acting'on the laterallyextending arm 93' ofthe latch-block 89 automatically rocks the lattertoengage its-nose 9|] with the-latch-shoulder- 80 to hold'the key--raising arm in oper'ativeposition.

A latch-trip mechanism is" also provided for operating the latch-block89' to release the keyraising arm'15 at apredetermin'ed time during theoperation of the stitching machine. 'Ihe latch-trip mechanism comprisesatrigger fifl; see Figs. 2 and 4, carried by a trigger-block 99 on'theshaft 9| and operated by'a trip 10!] on the control shaft 45. Thetrigger 98 is position ed in a recess |0| in the trigger-block 99an=dpivotally mounted on a stud I02 projectinglaterallv from thetrigger-block. The upper edge'of'therecess ||l| in the trigger-block 99'is inclined as'illustrated in Figs. 8, 9 and 10 to form a'seat N33 forthetrigger when the" latter is in operative'position as shown in Fig. 8.The trigger 98' is normally'held in engagement with itsseat IE3 by meansof a spring I04 coiled about thestud N32 with one end engagingthe'trigger and the opposite end engaging the cross-slot in thehead ofthe-stud. Thus, the'spring' |04"is' operative to hold the'trigg'erQB" inengagement with the seat I63 on the"trigger-block' 99, but isyieldableto permit the trigger' to rock on the trigger-block as illustrated inFig. 10. The end of the'trigger 98'has a nose I05, the rearward'fa'ce|06"of which is beveled or inclined fora" purpose as will later appear.

The trip on the control' shaft'45'is in the form of'a split sleeve toadapt'ittobe "clamped in of the sleeve I is reduced in diameter at oneside to form an offset recessed face with which the nose I of thetrigger 98 is adapted to engage, see Fig. 8. A lug III held in a slot inthe peripheral rim of the sleeve I00 projects across the face H0. Thelug III has a radially-extending face II2 for engagement with the noseI05 of the trigger 98 and an inclined rearward face II3. As illustratedin Figs. 8 and 9 the sleeve I00 has a screw II5 extending across itssplit portion to clamp it on the shaft 45. The tripsleeve I00 may beloosened and rotated to any position of adjustment on the control shaft45 to locate the lug II I in any particular spaced relation to the noseI05 of the trigger 98 whereby to cause the latch-block 89 to be trippedat a predetermined time during the operation of the machine. Preferably,however, the trip-sleeve I00 is so positioned on the control shaft 45 asto operate the latch-block 89 after the second stitch of a series hasbeen applied to the work W as indicated in Fig. 12. It will beunderstood that when the stitching mechanism is adjusted to apply anygiven number of stitches the operating cam 85 of the tie-stitchmechanism will actuate the key-raising arm I5 after the next to the laststitch has been applied as the cam is pinned to the control shaft 45 andmoves in direct ratio to the rack 63 for operating the stopping means.The trip-sleeve I00, however, must be adjusted each time that themachine is set to apply a different number of staples in a series as theposition of the lug I I I of the trip-sleeve I00 will have a particularangular relationship with respect to the trigger 98 at the beginning ofa stitching operation depending upon the number of stitches to be drivenin a series. A preferred form of the invention having been described indetail the mode of operation of the machine, and more particularly thetie-stitch mechanism, is as follows:

The machine is first adjusted to adapt it to apply a predeterminednumber of stitches S in a series and to advance the work W apredetermined increment of movement between the stitches in the mannerdescribed in detail in my prior patent referred to above. Suffice it tostate herein that the rod 66 is released by turning the nut I0 torelease the clamping member 55 and the control shaft 45 is turned bymeans of the graduated dial 'II to set it in a particular positioncorresponding to the number of stitches S to be applied. The adjustableabutment 65 is then brought into engagement with the rearward end of therack 63 and clamped in adjusted position by tightening the nut I0. Thedistance that the rack 63 is moved rearwardly away from the stoppingmeans (not herein shown but illustrated in my copending application) toits initial position determines the number of stitches to be appliedduring a stitching operation and the trip-sleeve I00 is turned to anadjusted position on the control shaft 45 to cause it to actuate thelatch-trip trigger 98 after the second stitch of a series is applied.

The machine is then ready for a stitching operation which is initiatedby inserting a carton W, shown in Fig. I2. When the carton W is insertedinto the machine with its flaps on the top and bottom of the flap-guideI9 the end of the carton engages and actuates the gauge I8 which throughsuitable mechanism, engages the clutch H to couple the fiy-wheel I4 tothe drive shaft I3. Duringthe first half-revolution of the drive shaftI3 a staple or stitch S is applied to the work W. Simultaneouslywith theapplication of a stitch S during the first halfrevolution of the driveshaft |3 the pitman 39 is operated from the position shown in Fig. 3 tothat shown in Fig. 5. For convenience of description it may beconsidered that at the beginning of the stitching operation thetie-stitch cam 86 is in the position indicated by dash lines in Fig. 5and as the tie-stitch mechanism has not been set for the first carton Wthe key-raising arm 15 is in the position indicated in Fig. 7. That is,the key 46 is seated in the slot 5| of the flange 43 of the oscillatingmember 4| whereby the two parts M and 44 of the oscillating mechanism 31oscillate as a unit to operate the crankarm 35 of the one-way clutch 33through a full stroke. Due to the arrangement of the one-way clutch 33the crank-arm 35 moves relatively of the housing 34 during the firsthalf-revolution of the drive shaft I3. During the second halfrevolutionof the drive shaft I3 the crank-arm 35 rocks the housing 34 and shaft 29connected thereto and through the gears 3| and 32, shaft 24, shafts 25and 30 and shafts 23 and 28, operates the spaced pairs of feed rolls 20and 2| through an arc to advance the work a predetermined increment ofmovement. It will be understood that when the work W is inserted intothe machine the initial operation thereof rocks the feed rolls 2| towardthe feed rolls 20 to grip the carton W therebetween. The machinecontinues to operate in the manner explained to apply a stitch duringthe firsthalf-revolution of the drive shaft I3 and to intermittentlyadvance the work W predetermined increments of movement between stitchesduring the second half-revolution of the drive shaft I3.

During each reciprocation of the pitman 39 the pawl 59 on the flange 42of the oscillating mechanism 31 engages the teeth of the ratchetwheel 58on the control shaft 45 to turn the shaft through a predetermined arc,the control shaft being held against rearward movement between strokesof the pitman 39 by the checkpawl 6| engaging the teeth on theratchet-wheel. The rotation of the control shaft 45 durmg each stroke ofthe pitman 39 is such as to advance the rack 63 a distance of one toothtoward the stopping means. Also, due to the rotation of the controlshaft 45, the cam 86 is rotated intermittently from the positionindicated by dash lines to the position illustrated by full lines inFig. 5. The cam 86 is so positioned on the control shaft 45 that therotation of the latter as the next to the last stitch of a series isapplied will engage the lobe 88 of the cam with the-eccentric disk 8| atthe outer end of the key-raising arm I5 and rock the arm on itspivot-stud I6. Rocking movement of the arm I5 causes its outer arcuateedge to engage the overhanging end of the key 46 to raise it out ofengagement with the slot 5| in the flange 43 of the oscillating member4|. During the first half-revolution of the drive shaft I3 to operatethe stitching mechanism in the head I2 to apply the next to the laststitch of a series the two parts 4| and 44 of the oscillating mechanism31 operate the crank-arm 35 of the one-way clutch 33 in the usualmanner, but during the second half-revolution of the drive shaft I3 themember 4| moves relatively ofthe member 44 with lost motion until theadjustable abutment 53 on the member 4| engages the side of the key 46to operate the crank-arm 35 through a considerably shorter arc, seeFigs. 5 and 6. Thus, the work feed rolls 20 and 2| are, moved through are-v duced increment of movement between the next to the last stitch andlast stitch of a series whereby the last two stitches are arrangedclosely adjacent each other to provide a tie-stitch at the end of therow of stitches.

When the key-raising arm I5 is rocked on its pivot I6 from the positionillustrated in Fig. 7 to that illustrated in Fig. 5 the tension of thespring 94 acting on the arm 93 of the latchblock 89 rocks the latter toengage its nose 90 with the latch shoulder 80 on the key-raising arm.The key-raising arm I5 is thus latched in its operative position tocause the work-feeding means to continue to advance the work with areduced increment of movement between stitches. Simultaneously with theapplication of the last stitch of a series the rack 63 is advanced toengage and operate the stopping mechanism which actuates thepawl-releasing lever 67 to disengage the pawls 59 and 6| from the teethof the ratchet-wheel 58. The stopping means actuates the clutch I! torelease the fiywheel I 4 from driving engagement with the drive shaft I3and the spring 68, see Fig. 2, rotates the control shaft 45 and, throughthe pinion gear 62, moves the rack 63 rearwardly until its end engagesthe abutment 65. Simultaneously with the return movement of the rack 63the cam 86 is returned to its initial position indicated by dash linesin Fig. 5. It will be understood that upon operation of the stoppingmeans the cradle or frame 22 carrying the feed rolls 2I is rocked to theposition illustrated in Fig. 1 to engage the discharge rolls (not hereinshown) with the work and thereby separate the pairs of feed rolls 20and'ZI.

Upon insertion of the next carton W into the machine in the mannerindicated in Fig. 12, operation of the machine is againinitiated todrive the first stitch during the first half-revolution of the driveshaft I3 and advance the work during the second half-revolution of thedrive shaft. As the key-raising arm I5 is latched in its operativeposition to hold the key raised the members ll and 44 of the oscillatingmechanism 31 move with lost motion to advance the work W a reducedincrement of movement so that the second stitch S of the series isapplied closely adjacent the first stitch to provide a tiestitch at thebeginning of a row or series of stitches. After the application of thesecond stitch the trip-sleeve I will have moved from the positionillustrated in Fig. 8 to that illustrated in Fig. 9 to engage theradialface H2 of the lug III with the nose I of the trigger 98 to rockthe trigger-block 99 and shaft 9| carrying the latch-block 89. Uponrocking movement of the latch-block 89 the spring 94 acting on theextension 78 of the key r'aising arm I5 rocks the latter to itsinoperative position shown in Fig. 7. Upon release of the key' is by thearm I5 the key is rocked on its pivot 48 by the spring 49 to engage itsend in the slot 5| in the flange 43 of the oscillating member 9|. Theparts 4| and 44 of the oscillating mechanism 31 thereafter oscillate asa unit to operate the feed rolls 20 and 2| through a maximum arc toadvance the work W a normal increment of movement between stitches Swhereby to apply a row of stitches in the manner'shown in Fig. 12. Thestitching mechanism in the head I2 and the work-feed rolls 20 and H thencontinue to operate in the manner explained until the cam 86 has beenmoved to engage the eccentric disk 8| on the key-raising arm I5 wherebyto again initiate the operation of the tie-stitch means. It will beunderstood that at the beginning of the stitching of the first cartonthe key-raising arm 18 may be rocked manually to latch it in theposition illustrated in Fig. 5 so that the machine will apply atie-stitch at the beginning of the row of stitches as well as at the endof the row.

During the return movement of the control shaft 45 after a stitchingoperation the inclined face N3 of the lug III on the trip-sleeve I99will engage the inclined face I96 on the trigger 98 to rock the triggeragainst the action of the spring I 64 whereby to permit the lug to passby the trigger without operating the latch-block 89 between stitchingoperations, see Fig. 10. It will be understood that the trip-sleeve I89is adjustable on the control shaft 45 to adapt it to operate the trigger98 at any particular time during a stitching operation and the form ofthe cam 89 and trip-sleeve I99 may be varied to apply a tie-stitchintermediate a row as well as at the beginning and end of a row ofstitches. Furthermore, it will be understood that if it is desired tooperate the machine without a tiestitch the nut 83 may be loosened onthe stem 82 of the eccentric disk 8| and the latter turned into therecess 84 in the key-raising arm I5 whereby the cam 86 will not engagethe disk to rock the key-raising arm on its pivot.

It will be observed from the foregoing specification that the presentinvention provides a novel form of tie-stitch operating means which isof simple and compact construction and actuated directly from thecontrol shaft. It will be observed further that the present inventionprovides a tie-stitch mechanism which may be operated during the next tothe last stitch of a series and latched in operative position during thecompletion of astitching operation and at the beginning of a subsequentstitching operation whereby one setting of the tie-stitch means efiectsa tie-stitch at the end of one series of stitches and the beginning ofanother series.

While a preferred form of the invention is herein illustrated anddescribed, itwill be understood that modifications may be made in theformand arrangement of the parts thereof without departing from thespirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, without limiting myself inthis respect, I claim:

1. In a machine of the type indicated, the combination'of Wire-stitchingmeans, work-feeding means, driving means for operating thewire-stitching means and work-feeding means in timed relationship,tie-stitch means for controlling the operation of the feeding means toreduce the increment of movement of the work by the feeding meansbetween certain stitches, an angularly-movable cam actuated in onedirection by the driving means for controlling the operation of thetie-stitch means, and means for moving the'cam in the opposite directionto return it to initial position after a stitching operation.

2. In a machine of the type indicated, the combination of wire-stitchingmeans, work-feeding means, driving means for operating the wirestitchingmeans and work-feeding means in timed relationship, tie-stitch means forcontrolling the operation of the feeding means to reduce the incrementof movement of the work by the feeding means between certain stitches,an angularlymovable cam driven by the driving means for controlling theoperationof the tie-stitch means,

and means for initially adjusting the relative position of the cam withrespect to the tie-stitch means to adapt the tie-stitch means to beoperated after any number of stitches have been applied to the work.

3. In a machine f the type indicated, the combination of wire-stitchingmeans having a predetermined period of operation to apply a series ofstitches, work-feeding means, driving means for operating thewire-stitching means and work-feeding means in timed relationship,tie-stitch means for controlling the operation of the feeding means toreduce the increment of movement of the work by the feeding meansbetween the first and last two stitches of the series applied to thework, a cam actuated in one direction by the driving means forcontrolling the operation of the tie-stitch means, and means for movingthe cam in the opposite direction to return it to initial position aftera stitching operation.

4. In a machine of the type indicated, the combination of awire-stitching means, workfeeding means, driving means for operating thewire-stitching means and work-feeding means in timed relationship,tie-stitch means for controlling the operation of the feeding means, toreduce the increment of movement of the work by the feeding meansbetween certain stitches, and means operated by the driving means forcontrolling the period of operation of the wirestitching means and thetime of operation of the tie-stitch means, said last-named ,meanscomprising a cam movable in one direction for operating the tie-stitchmeans, and means for moving the cam in the opposite direction to returnit to its initial position after a stitching operation. 7 7 I 5. In amachine of the type indicated, the combination of wire-stitching meanshaving a predetermined period of operation to apply a series ofstitches, work-feeding means, driving means for operating thewire-stitching means and work-feeding means in timed relationship,

tie-stitch means for controlling the" operation' of the feeding means toreduce the increment of movement of the work by the feeding meansbetween certain stitches, a control shaft driven from the driving means,a cam on the control shaft for operating the tie-stitch means, and meansfor rotating the control shaft back to initial position after astitching operation.

6. In a machine of the type indicated, the combination of wire-stitchingmeans having a predetermined period of operation to apply a series ofstitches, work-feeding means, 'driving means for operating thewire-stitching means and work-feeding means in timed relationship,tie-stitch means for controlling the operation of the feeding means toreduce the increment of movement of the work by the feeding meansbetween certain stitches, a control shaft, a cam thereon for operatingthe tie-stitch means, means operated by the driving means forintermittently rotating the control shaft in timed relation therewith,and means for rotating the control shaft back to initial position aftera stitching operation.

'7. In a machine of the type indicated, the combination ofwire-stitching means, work-feeding means, driving means for operatingthe wirestitching means and work-feeding means in timed relationship,tie-stitch means for controlling the operation of the feeding means toreduce the increment of movement of the work by the feeding meansbetween certain stitches, a control shaft operated by the driving means,a cam fixed to the control shaft for operating the tie-stitch means, andmanually-operable means for initially adjusting the angular position ofthe control shaft to operate the tie-stitch means after anypredetermined number of stitches.

8. In a machine of the type indicated, the combination of wire-stitchingmeans, workfeeding means, driving means for operating the wire-stitchingmeans and work-feeding means in timed relationship, tie-stitch means forcontrolling the operation of the feeding means to reduce the incrementof movement of the work by the feeding means between certain stitches,means for initiating operation of the wire-stitching means, means forstopping the wire-stitching means, a control shaft operated by thedriving means, means operated by the control shaft for initiatingoperation of the tie-stitch means and the stopping means for thewire-stitching means, and manually-operable means for initiallyadjusting the angular position of the control shaft to vary the periodof operation of the wire-stitching means and the time of operation ofthe tiestitch means.

9. In a machine of the type indicated, the combination of wire-stitchingmeans, workfeeding means, driving means for operating the wire-stitchingmeans and work-feeding means in timed relationship, tie-stitch means forcontrolling the operation of the feeding means to reduce the incrementof movement of the work by the feeding means between certain stitches, acontrol shaft operated by the driving means, a cam on the control shaftfor operating the tiestitch means, means operated by the control shaftfor stopping the wire-stitching means, and manually-operable means forinitially adjusting the angular position of the control shaft to varythe period of operation of the wire-stitching means and the time ofoperation of the tie-stitch means.

'10. In a machine of the type indicated, the combination ofwire-stitching means, workfeeding means, driving means for operating thewire-stitching means and work-feeding means in timed relationship,tie-stitch means for controlling the operation of the feeding means todecrease the increment of movement of the work by the feeding meansbetween certain stitches, means for initiating the operation of the tiestitch means, means for latching the tie-stitch means in operativeposition, and means for releasing the latching means.

11. In a machine of the type indicated, the combination ofwire-stitching means, work-feeding means, driving means for operatingthe wirestitching means and work-feeding means in timed relationship,tie-stitch means for controlling the operation of the feeding means toreduce the increment of movement of the work by the feeding meansbetween certain stitches, a cam operated from the driving means forinitiating operation of the tie-stitch means, means for latching thetie-stitch means in operative position, and means operated from thedriving means for releasing the latching means.

12. In a machine of the type indicated, the combination ofwire-stitching means, work-feeding means, driving means for operatingthe wirestitching means and work-feeding means in timed relationship, acontrol shaft driven from the driving means, tie-stitch means forcontrolling the operation of the work-feeding. means to reduce theincrement of movement of "the work by the feeding means betweencertainstitches, a cam on the control shaft for initiating operation of thetie-stitch means, means for latching the tie-stitch means in operativeposition, and means operated by the rotation of the control shaft forreleasing the latching means.

13. In a machine of the type indicated, the combination ofwire-stitching means, work-feeding means, means'for driving thewire-stitching means and work-feeding means in timed relationship toapply a series of spaced stitches to the work, tie-stitch means forcontrolling the operation of the feeding means to reduce the incrementof movement of the work by the feeding means during the first and lasttwo stitches of a series, means operated by the driving means foroperating the tie-stitch means during application of the next to thelast stitch of a series, means for automatically latching the tie-stitchmeans in operative position, and means operated from the driving meansfor actuating the latching means to release the tie-stitch means duringthe application of the second stitch of the next series.

14. In a machine of the type indicated, the combination ofwire-stitching means, work-feeding means, means for driving thewire-stitching means and work-feeding means in timed relationship toapply a series of spaced stitches to the work, tie-stitch means forcontrolling the operation of the feeding means to reduce the incrementof movement of the work by the feeding means between the first and lasttwo stitches of a series, a control shaft driven from the driving means,a cam on the shaft for operating the tie-stitch means during theapplication of the next to the last stitch, means for automaticallylatching the tie-stitch means in operaive position, and means on thecontrol shaft for actuating the latching means to release the tie-stitchmeans during the application of the second stitch of the next series.

15. In a machine of the type indicated, the combination ofwire-stitching means, work-feeding means, means for driving thewire-stitching means, a control shaft driven from the driving means,means for operating the work-feeding means from the driving means intimed relation to the wire-stitching means comprising a pair ofrelatively movable members, means connecting the members for movement asa unit or with lost motion, a cam fixed to the control shaft foroperating the connecting means, and manuallyoperable means for initiallyadjusting the angular position of the control shaft to operate thetie-stitch means after any predetermined number of stitches.

16. In a machine of the type indicated, the combination ofwire-stitching means, work-feeding means, means for driving thewire-stitching means, a control shaft driven from the driving means, apair of members mounted to oscillate on the control shaft and connectedto operate the work-feeding means, said members having interengagingparts for oscillating one from the other with lost motion, a key forconnecting the members for oscillation as a unit, and a cam n thecontrol shaft for operating the key to disconnect the oscillatingmembers during certain periods of operation of the wire-stitching means.

1'7. In a machine of the type indicated, the combination ofwire-stitching means, work-feeding means, means for driving thewire-stitching means, a control shaft driven from the driving means,means for operating the work-feeding means from .the driving means intimed relation to the wire-stitching means comprising a pair of membersmounted to oscillate on the control shaft, interengaging means on themembers for rocking one from .the other with lost motion, a key forconnecting the members foroscillation as a unit, a member fordisengaging the key to release the oscillating members, and a cam on thecontrol shaft for operating the key-disengaging member at apredetermined time during a stitching operation.

18. In a machine of the type indicated, the combination ofwire-stitching means, work-feeding means, means for driving thewire-stitching means, a control shaft driven from the driving means,means for operating the work-feeding means from the driving means intimed relation to the wire-stitching means comprising a pair of membersmounted to oscillate on the control shaft, interengaging means on themembers for rocking one from the other with lost motion, a key forconnecting the members for oscillation as a unit, a member fordisengaging the key to release the oscillating members, a cam on thecontrol shaft, and manually-operable means for initially adjusting thecontrol shaft to adapt the cam to operate the key-disengaging memberafter any predetermined number of stitches have been applied to thework.

19. A work-feeding device for wire-stitching machines comprising a pairof members having cooperating means engageable to drive one member fromthe other with lost motion, means for connecting the members formovement together.

as a unit, a rockable member for actuating the last-named means todisconnect the members, a cam for actuating the rockable member at apredetermined time during the operation of the device, a latch forlocking the rockable member in operative position, and means foroperating the latch to release the rockable member.

20. A work-feeding device for wire-stitching machines comprising acontrol shaft, a pair of members mounted to oscillate on the controlshaft, said members having cooperating means engageable to drive onemember from the other with lost motion, a key for connecting the membersto oscillate as a unit, a member for disengaging the key to release themembers, a cam on the control shaft for operating the key-disengagingmember at a predetermined time during the operation of the device, alatch for locking the key-disengaging member, a trip-block connected tothe latch, and a trip-member on the control shaft for operating thetrip-block whereby to actuate the latch to release the key-disengagingmember.

21. A work-feeding device for wire-stitching machines comprising acontrol shaft, a pair of members mounted to oscillate on the controlshaft, said members having cooperating means engageable to drive onemember from the other with lost motion, a key for connecting the membersto oscillate as a unit, a pivoted member for raising the key to releasethe members, a cam on the control shaft for rocking the pivoted memberat apredetermined time, a rockable latch for locking the pivoted memberin operative position, a spring connecting the key-raising member andlatch, a trip-block connected to the latch, a trigger pivotally mountedon the tripblock, and means on the control shaft engageable menttogether, as a unit, a pivoted member for actuating the last-named meansto disconnect the members, an eccentric element on the lastnamed member,and a cam for engaging the eccentric element at a predetermined time foroperating the pivoted member to disconnect the members, said eccentricelement being rotatable on the member on which it is mounted whereby itmay be moved out of position to be engaged.

10 by the cam.

GEORGE H. HARRED.

